Russia Ukraine Geneva talks are set to resume on February 17 and 18 in Switzerland under US mediation, as efforts continue to end the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Moscow and Kyiv confirmed the new round of negotiations on Friday, describing them as part of a trilateral format involving the United States. The talks follow two previous US-mediated meetings in Abu Dhabi that did not produce a breakthrough.
Despite diplomatic activity, fighting continues across Ukraine, and the two sides remain deeply divided over territory and security arrangements.
Geneva Talks to Follow Previous Rounds in Abu Dhabi
Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying the next round of discussions “on the Ukrainian settlement” will take place in Geneva in the same trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine format.
According to Peskov, Moscow’s delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister who previously headed negotiations in Turkey in 2022. His appointment marks a shift from the senior military officials who led Russia’s delegation during the Abu Dhabi rounds.
The change in delegation comes after what Moscow described as an assassination attempt earlier this month against the deputy of its chief negotiator in Moscow. Russian authorities accused Kyiv of orchestrating the attack. Ukraine has not publicly accepted responsibility.
Kyiv confirmed that preparations are underway. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security Council and chief negotiator, said the Ukrainian delegation has begun preparing for the meeting.
The Ukrainian team is expected to include:
- Kyrylo Budanov, head of military intelligence and a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky
- Senior officials from the presidential office
- Security and diplomatic representatives
Territory Remains Central Obstacle in Russia Ukraine Geneva Talks
The central dispute in the Russia Ukraine Geneva talks remains territory. Moscow is demanding sweeping territorial and political concessions from Ukraine, which Kyiv has rejected.
Among Russia’s key demands:
- A Ukrainian withdrawal from the eastern Donetsk region, including areas still under Kyiv’s control
- Political arrangements limiting Ukraine’s Western alignment
Ukraine has rejected any unilateral pullback and insists on firm Western security guarantees to prevent renewed Russian military action after any ceasefire.
Russia currently occupies around one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it seized in 2014, and areas captured during the 2022 invasion.
The war, now entering its fifth year, is Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, according to various estimates.
In recent days, Russian strikes have continued across Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian authorities said overnight attacks targeted the southern port city of Odesa and energy infrastructure, killing six people.
Zelensky Seeks Support in Munich
President Zelensky arrived in Munich on Friday for meetings with European and US officials on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. He also visited a Ukrainian-German drone production facility, highlighting ongoing military cooperation with Western partners.
The diplomatic push comes as Kyiv seeks stronger backing ahead of the Geneva negotiations.
Europe Debates Direct Engagement with Moscow
At the Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he is “ready to talk” with Russian leaders but argued that Moscow is not yet prepared for serious peace negotiations.
“This war will only end when Russia is at least economically and potentially militarily exhausted,” Merz said, adding that Russia must show genuine willingness to discuss a ceasefire and a broader peace plan.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for renewed European engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that Europe should not leave negotiations solely to Washington. Macron recently sent his diplomatic adviser to Moscow to prepare for possible high-level contact.
Calls for a Unified European Position
Russian opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky told AFP that Europe may face prolonged tensions with Russia similar to a Cold War environment. He said dialogue is necessary but urged European governments to speak with “one voice” in any engagement with Moscow.
Khodorkovsky suggested Europe could appoint a single representative to conduct negotiations with the Kremlin.
Ukraine and China Discuss “Peace Efforts”
On the sidelines of the Munich conference, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Sybiga said they discussed “peace efforts” and China’s potential role in facilitating an end to the war. He also reiterated Kyiv’s interest in high-level contact between Zelensky and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China has maintained close ties with Russia and has not condemned the 2022 invasion. Western governments and Kyiv accuse Beijing of providing Moscow with economic support, including the supply of dual-use components.
According to Sybiga, China pledged additional humanitarian energy assistance to Ukraine, following repeated Russian attacks on the country’s power grid. The Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing is willing to provide new humanitarian aid and emphasized what it described as an objective and consistent position on the conflict.
Conclusion:
As the Russia Ukraine Geneva talks approach, diplomatic efforts are intensifying across multiple fronts, from Washington’s mediation to European debates over direct engagement and China’s limited involvement. However, with deep divisions over territory and security guarantees, expectations for a rapid breakthrough remain cautious.
